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The weekly feature page of the University Daily Kansan September 7.1977
After working for a couple hours in very humid conditions, Patsy Evans, Lawrence senior, takes a short break to cool off. Evans has been working at the Elite Gymnastics Club as an assistant coach since its origin two years ago.
a special teacher
In a large, open room overlooking Massachusetts Street in downtown Lawrence, a tiny girl tiptoed across a balance bait, biting her lip at every step.
Patty Evans, Lawrence senior, was waiting for her when she hopped the end of the fence.
"That was great!" she told the girl. Evans is an assistant coach for Elite Gymnastics and its network of assistants.
"I believe strongly in positive reinforcement," she said. "A little praise will go a long way."
"A good gymnastics coach has to be trusted and respected," Evans said.
Across the room, Gerald Carley, a 1971 University of Kansas graduate, wearing a T-shirt with "Trust Me" blazoned across the chest and another little gift in midair as she did a flip.
"I'm proud of that," she said. It was the only time the KU team made it to the nation's top 25.
Carley was an assistant coach for the KU women's gymnastics team, which Evans performed with her freshman and sophomore years in 1972 and 1973. She was on the team when it competed in the National Invitational Championships in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1972.
But in her junior year, back injuries
occur. She had been a school
after her junior year to work for a
part time job.
"Gymnastics had been part of my life since fifth grade," she said. "When I quit competing, I knew I couldn't leave it totally."
So Evans taught high school gymnastics meets. Then, when Carley started the Elite club two years ago, she went to work for him.
Evans will leave Elite soon to devote more time to her studies.
She plans to teach elementary physical education and health when she graduates, said, "I feel I'm one step ahead because I've had this teaching experience."
Evans said she enjoyed teaching children
him and she enjoyed teaching children. "I get real satisfaction from the feelings the children have when they have accomplished a trick.
"Their faces light up. They love to know they've done something right."
There are no gymnastics programs for elementary children in the Lawrence public schools, Carley said. In the past two years, there were 50 to 100 students, ranging from age 4 to 18.
Evans said it was better to start children early in gymnastics. She began her gymnastics career with ballet lessons at age five.
She starts her preschool students with loco-motor movements such as walking, running, and skipping to see what they can do in their environment. And backward rolls and handstands, she said.
Gymnastics is one of the most well-
"The noncompetitive classes give children a chance to explore and express themselves," she said. "Everyone achieves a bit of success."
Evans said she did not advocate starting very young children in competition.
rounded sports," Evans said. "It develops flexibility and balance and teaches children what they can do with their bodies.
"I don't like to see them pushed," she said.
The girls on the competitive teams range in age from 8 to 14. Girls on the A-tteam participate in age-group competition against girls from Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas.
Andrea Milstead, 14, is on the A-team. She practices about 11 hours a week but never goes to practice.
"I've learned a lot of new things I never dreamt I could do," she said. "I'm in greenland."
"Gymnastics has helped me learn to cope with things that are real scary. Gymnastics makes me happy." she said.
Evans says she finds working with children of all ages very rewarding, whether it is as a sporter on the uneven parallel bars (above left) or in giving a helping hand to Keilly Shankel in a new floor exercise.
Story by Vennie White Photos by Eil Reichman